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Hazaribag, Jharkhand:
A shocking case of alleged medical negligence has emerged from Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) in Hazaribag, Jharkhand. A pregnant woman, initially told her fetus had died, delivered a healthy baby boy just hours later at a private hospital, raising serious questions about the quality of care in government healthcare facilities.
The Incident
The woman, a resident of Chalkusa in Barkatha block, arrived at SBMCH in active labor after a strenuous 120-kilometer journey with her husband at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday. Instead of being admitted, hospital nurses reportedly declared the fetus dead, citing a ten-day-old haemoglobin report that showed a level of 10 gm/dL.
The woman’s husband contested the diagnosis, arguing that the report was outdated. He was told to approach the operation theatre (OT) upstairs, but found the doors locked. Despite repeated banging and calls for help, no one responded—nurses later admitted that some staff, including the head nurse, were asleep inside.
A Desperate Move
With his wife’s labor intensifying and no help forthcoming, the husband rushed her to the nearby private Mission Hospital, just 2 km away. There, updated tests showed her haemoglobin at 12 gm/dL. Within hours, a C-section was performed, resulting in the birth of a healthy baby boy weighing 4 kg.
“If I hadn’t taken my wife and son to the private hospital, I would have lost them both,” the husband told local media. He has since demanded justice, hoping that no other family endures a similar ordeal.
Official Response and Political Fallout
The incident has sparked outrage and political controversy. Hazaribag Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh stated, “I have spoken to the superintendent of SBMCH, Dr. Anukaran Purti, and instructed him to immediately constitute an investigation team and provide a detailed report. Action will be taken against the culprits. The hospital management should ensure that such incidents do not reoccur.”
BJP leader Arjun Saw, who assisted the couple, claimed he received threats from SBMCH doctors for intervening. He further alleged that hospital staff were attempting to deflect attention from the incident by accusing him of harassment.
Hazaribag MP Manish Jaiswal criticized the state of government hospitals and pledged to escalate the matter to higher authorities. Health Minister Irfan Ansari announced a government probe and promised strict action against those found responsible.
Public Outcry
The case has reignited debate over the state of public healthcare in Jharkhand and across India. Many are calling for systemic reforms and stricter accountability in government hospitals to prevent such incidents in the future.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues and other news sources. The details are subject to ongoing investigation, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. For the most accurate and updated information, please refer to official statements and follow-up reports.
